With its most important games coming up, the Muhlenberg baseball team has found a winning formula.

For the second time in less than 24 hours, the Mules combined tremendous starting pitching with outstanding defense and the long ball, defeating Penn State Abington 5-2 in their first game at Cedarcreek Field this season.

Muhlenberg (9-8) has won five of six heading into Saturday's scheduled Centennial Conference-opening doubleheader against Gettysburg.

Senior Troy Elias (pictured above right) pitched six innings of one-hit ball to earn his first win of the season. He struck out three and allowed only a fifth-inning bunt single in continuing the staff's run of strong starting pitching. Over the last six games, Mule starters have a 1.51 ERA with only 24 hits allowed in 35 2/3 innings.

Senior John Icaza (pictured above left) provided the long ball, socking a two-run homer in the fifth and a solo shot in the seventh. It was the second career multiple-home run game for Icaza, who has nine total round-trippers at Muhlenberg.

And the Mules, who entered the game ranked in the top 20 in Division III in fielding percentage, bookended the game with a pair of stellar plays on the left side of the infield. Sophomore Chris Grillo went deep in the hole at short to throw out the first batter, and freshman Sam Arnold nipped the final Nittany Lion hitter with a strong throw from third on a slow ground ball.

Junior Eric Reitmeyer went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, and freshman John Serruto had two hits in his second career start.

Sophomore Bobby Merle doubled down the right-field line to bring in the game's first run in the second. Reitmeyer led off the fourth with a double and came in on an RBI single by junior Troy Vazquez.

Junior Charlie Lekkas pitched two scoreless innings in relief, striking out three.